Why Iran 15 Can Sell Their Stories

Why Iran 15 Can Sell Their Stories

Article excerpt

Byline: By Gavin Cordon

MoD likens situation to winners of the VC

The Ministry of Defence yesterday defended the decision to allow the 15 sailors and marines held captive in Iran to sell their stories to the media. Its spokesman said the move would allow officials to have "sight" of what was to be said.

But one of the former captives said if he made any money out of his story it would go to charity.

Lieutenant Felix Carman, who has returned to his family in Wales on compassionate leave, said: "I am not interested in making money out of this. My main aim is to tell the story."

The comments come after the decision was questioned by former military chiefs and criticised by families of servicemen who have died in Iraq.

A statement from the MoD said: "It was clear that the stories they had to tell were likely to have emerged via family and friends, regardless of any decision the Navy took.

"It was therefore decided to grant permission to speak to the media to those personnel that sought it, in order to ensure that the Navy and the MoD had sight of what they were going to say as well as providing proper media support to the sailors and Marines in the same way as would have been the case in more ordinary circumstances. …